I need a sportcoat/jacket

[Rochester585]

Hello all,

Im a young man who would like your opinions on a sport coat or jacket for casual wear.

I intend to wear it on the weekends around town with some nice jeans maybe a shirt underneath, or maybe just to polish up my look with just a tshirt underneath.

I just want to look more presentable. There are several mens shops in town and im sure i could go in and ask the same question and have success, but i wondered if any of you guys have a tried and true brand that you rely on and know you can order something off the rack without tailoring that will get the job done

Thank you kindly---

[Blansky]

I have no idea of companies anymore but I'd always suggest buy high quality garments and they will last a long time. Not something cheap and trendy.

[antelope]

Zenga makes incredible sports jackets and jackets. Quality is amazing and will last for years to come.

[It's Hedley]

Originally Posted by Rochester585

Hello all,

Im a young man who would like your opinions on a sport coat or jacket for casual wear.

I intend to wear it on the weekends around town with some nice jeans maybe a shirt underneath, or maybe just to polish up my look with just a tshirt underneath.

I just want to look more presentable. There are several mens shops in town and im sure i could go in and ask the same question and have success, but i wondered if any of you guys have a tried and true brand that you rely on and know you can order something off the rack without tailoring that will get the job done

Thank you kindly---

If you want a sport coat (or any clothing) to fit properly, count on getting to know a good tailor. They are worth the expense. You can't believe how well a garment fits after being professionally tailored. Better to buy an inexpensive sport coat (pants etc) and have it tailored than to buy expensive ill fitting clothing. You will learn this in time.

For jackets, I recommend going to any store with a wide variety of sport coats and try on as many as you can then see your tailor.

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by It's Hedley

Better to buy an inexpensive sport coat (pants etc) and have it tailored than to buy expensive ill fitting clothing.

For jackets, I recommend going to any store with a wide variety of sport coats and try on as many as you can then see your tailor.

[dauster]

Originally Posted by Rochester585

Hello all,

Im a young man who would like your opinions on a sport coat or jacket for casual wear.

I intend to wear it on the weekends around town with some nice jeans maybe a shirt underneath, or maybe just to polish up my look with just a tshirt underneath.

I just want to look more presentable. There are several mens shops in town and im sure i could go in and ask the same question and have success, but i wondered if any of you guys have a tried and true brand that you rely on and know you can order something off the rack without tailoring that will get the job done

Thank you kindly---

what's your budget and location (rochester NY?)?

[crew]

Hey Rochester585, welcome aboard.
I like Jack Victor brand for quality/fabrics/value.
If price is less of a concern you can’t beat Canali or Burberry.
For many years I shopped at the Red Barn in Pittsford, but as you probably know they closed about a year ago.
There are some other shops in town that you can find with a quick Google or Yelp search. At least 2 of them are on Monroe Avenue.
Another option might be to check out a Hickey Freeman factory sale but their styles may not suit you as a younger guy.
Finally, as suggested above, do not shortchange yourself on the value of a good tailor. A tailor can make a sack look like it was custom made for you.

[Sperry]

When I last bought fine clothes, after the salesperson left me alone, I consulted their on-site tailor. He was far more knowledgable about what fit and what "looked right".

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by Rochester585

if any of you guys have a tried and true brand that you rely on and know you can order something off the rack without tailoring that will get the job done

You are better off without a jacket if you are looking for "off the rack without tailoring".

I prefer Hickey Freeman, Zegna or Canali

[Chiboy]

Originally Posted by beshannon

You are better off without a jacket if you are looking for "off the rack without tailoring".

I prefer Hickey Freeman, Zegna or Canali

Damn! I used to wear H-F suits for work and loved them. I didn't buy a new suit for probably 15 years as I left the corporate world, but when I did, I got a Canali. Which I really like. And when I bought a jacket a year ago, I got a Zegna, which I love but have only had one occasion to wear.

So you're 3 for 3!

[AP8ESQ]

OP,

Some great brands and suggestions here already but I will chime in with another couple- first is Samuelsohn. Good quality and relatively reasonably priced for what you get (most jackets are full canvass with decent amounts of handwork).

If you want to go high end - Oxxford. There are very few garments on the level of Oxxford (Brioni, Kiton, etc.) but I stick with Oxxford because it is “timeless” and USA made.

[MrGoat]

I am 36. I’ve got Hugo Boss, Brooks Brothers, Armani and a few custom tailored sport jackets from Hong Kong and Okinawa.

My advice would be find a tailor that does good work and go from there. You can bring your tailor a jacket and have them “fit” it to you or you can have your tailor make you a jacket with whatever specs you want. Both are good options but every man needs to experience a custom made jacket at least once in their life.


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[barneb10]

I really enjoy Brooks Brothers.

[Jackie Daytona]

Doesn’t really matter as long as it’s a quality brand and the materials will hold up.

I would say after the quality aspect the main thing that is really important is the tailoring. Sport coats look like crap if they don’t have a bit of tailoring done in my opinion. Every body type is slightly different and an odd the rack one will always be a little off generally speaking without some help.

My issue I find often is that in the US at least even if you buy let’s say a size 42 coat for instance the default tailoring is for a larger person. Personally, I’m sort of a more athletic build and pretty slim in the midsection, but I I get the off the rack coat that fits through the shoulders it looks overly bulky and goofy on the rest of it.

[brandrea]

I’d head in to Nordstrom’s or Macy’s as they have a lot of decent off the rack brands to choose from.

Some brands are close or neat fitting, while others are cut more “generously”.

[Rashid.bk]

Veilance, Ministry of Supply and Bluffworks are my go to for something relaxed I can use with denim or casual dress up.

[NYC6]

I’m also a buyer of Brooks Brothers and I recommend taking a look there tosee if anything appeals to you.
The company recently announced chapter 11 due to covid related economy downturn and are closing a number of stores. You might find some deals.

[kieselguhr]

If you are looking for quality, bespoke (custom) allows you to have one tailored to your specifications using materials of your choice.

If you are looking for a throwaway. Banana republic have decent quality blazer/sport jackets for as low as $50 when on sale. Get it tailored for another $50 and it will look great.

Whichever you choose know that tailoring is important. When it comes to suits, blazers, sport jacket, the price matters less than the tailoring. A cheap tailored jacket looks and feels 10x better than a $1000 ill fitting counterpart

[JParm]

It is all about the tailor.

You can buy a $100 jacket that will look amazing on you, or spend $2000 on something that looks like a bag...and vice versa. The key is to find a good tailor, not how much money you spent on the suit. It has to fit you to begin with, too.

Obviously not a sport coat pic, but posting so you get the idea. This was a cheap suit that I got bespoke in Bahrain - Around $200, but has lasted me nearly a decade. Toughest part is keeping the lbs off...

[Vetracer]

Originally Posted by [email protected]

It is all about the tailor.

You can buy a $100 jacket that will look amazing on you, or spend $2000 on something that looks like a bag...and vice versa. The key is to find a good tailor, not how much money you spent on the suit. It has to fit you to begin with, too.

Obviously not a sport coat pic, but posting so you get the idea. This was a cheap suit that I got bespoke in Bahrain - Around $200, but has lasted me nearly a decade. Toughest part is keeping the lbs off...

This

[BroncoOne]

Originally Posted by [email protected]

It is all about the tailor.

You can buy a $100 jacket that will look amazing on you, or spend $2000 on something that looks like a bag...and vice versa. The key is to find a good tailor, not how much money you spent on the suit. It has to fit you to begin with, too.

Obviously not a sport coat pic, but posting so you get the idea. This was a cheap suit that I got bespoke in Bahrain - Around $200, but has lasted me nearly a decade. Toughest part is keeping the lbs off...

This is rock solid advice. Don't look at the cost or the label, make sure that it fits-this is what people notice. Good fabrics are important (it feels great to the touch and holds up), but most people see you and aren't touching you, especially after Covid.

Make your first blazer a dark navy blue. It will never go out of style and you can dress it up with proper trousers or down with jeans. Don't get lapels or a cut that is trendy; stick with a traditional look and pay attention to things like the gore, where the top button sits on your torso etc.

A good fitting suit or blazer is an investment and can pay you dividends (with women and business).

[BigBlue1]

Originally Posted by [email protected]

It is all about the tailor.

You can buy a $100 jacket that will look amazing on you, or spend $2000 on something that looks like a bag...and vice versa. The key is to find a good tailor, not how much money you spent on the suit. It has to fit you to begin with, too.

Obviously not a sport coat pic, but posting so you get the idea. This was a cheap suit that I got bespoke in Bahrain - Around $200, but has lasted me nearly a decade. Toughest part is keeping the lbs off...

That suit was not built for swimming.
Looks nice though.

[JParm]

Originally Posted by BigBlue1

That suit was not built for swimming.
Looks nice though.

Haha, no it was not - just a friendly visit to the pool during a B-school trip to Bangkok!

[Watchflair]

Brooks Brothers is my go to - several fits and they can assist with tailoring. As said tailoring is the key - most Brooks Brothers have an onsite tailor that know how it should fit. Shop their sales and prices are reasonable - just got a few in the $179 to $249 range - can't beat them at that price point for the fabrics and quality.

[tudorbaja27]

Caruso. Canali. Corneliani. Zileri.
This should get you started. Great value for good prices.

Look them up. Get them on sale. You'll be a new man.

And yes - take them to a good tailor afterwards. A well-constructed garment is worthless if it looks like a bag of potatoes on you.

Cheers!

[alex.cicollo]

Originally Posted by tudorbaja27

Caruso. Canali. Corneliani. Zileri.
This should get you started. Great value for good prices.

Look them up. Get them on sale. You'll be a new man.

And yes - take them to a good tailor afterwards. A well-constructed garment is worthless if it looks like a bag of potatoes on you.

Cheers!

Man of excellent taste!

[dba]

As others have mentioned, find and develop a relationship with a tailor. You didn't state your age, and no matter; but if you're on the younger side, I'd urge you to buy something with a classic cut and stay away from super slim or other trendy fashion. When something with the super slim cut is worn, it always looks like the wearer got their clothes out of their little brother's closet. Best of luck.

[tudorbaja27]

Originally Posted by dba

As others have mentioned, find and develop a relationship with a tailor. You didn't state your age, and no matter; but if you're on the younger side, I'd urge you to buy something with a classic cut and stay away from super slim or other trendy fashion. When something with the super slim cut is worn, it always looks like the wearer got their clothes out of their little brother's closet. Best of luck.

this too

[Dr. Robert]

Solid color, black or navy......go for a classic fit......and most important, get a good alterations tailor. With good tailoring an inexpensive blazer can look like a million bucks.

[TswaneNguni]

GANT works for me .Fits well.

Blazer/black t shirt, Tiger of Sweden Pistolero denim , RM Williams Craftsman Boots ... well,that's my dress code.